Daily Nation calls on scientists to ‘come out boldly’ to help Kenya adapt to climate change

Kenya minister of livestock development Hon Mohammed Kuti and Equity Bank CEO James Mwangi at the launch of an ‘Index-based livestock insurance’ scheme in Marsabit, in January 2010; led by ILRI scientists, this project is making livestock insurance available to Kenya’s northern pastoralists for the first time (photo credit: ILRI/Mude).

An editorial in Kenya’s Daily Nation yesterday (7 Aug 2011) argues that the time has come for the country to start adapting itself to long-term climate change, citing research by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and calling on the scientific community to help lead the way.

‘While thousands of Kenyans are standing up to assist their fellow citizens afflicted by hunger, . . . [i]t may be time now to make momentous decisions on how best to sustain life in the arid areas that are most vulnerable to climate change. . . .

‘This process in which people may be required to change a whole or part of their traditions and culture, though a major challenge, must be fully encouraged. . . .

Already, the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute has indicated that even with the availability of water, some crops such as maize may not thrive well in a warming world.

To cope with these changes will require major transformations which must be knowledge- and technology-driven. This is where we urge our scientists to come out boldly and take charge.’